Monthly Archives: July 2017

Illustra Flex next generation 3MP cameras advance the current portfolio with superior image clarity, edge-based failover redundancy, and Illustra® IntelliZip video compression capabilities for unprecedented bandwidth management. The new cameras take the Flex line to a higher level of video quality while maintaining the lower price point customers have come to appreciate.

All of the Flex 3MP cameras feature IntelliZip compression technology which provides powerful bandwidth management beyond H.264 and H.265 to reduce network bandwidth and video storage requirements. This embedded technology continuously monitors and optimizes system streaming parameters to match the level of activity within the camera’s field of view. When the camera detects motion, IntelliZip automatically adjusts the video quality to ensure every detail within the region of interest is captured clearly. When the scene becomes static, IntelliZip continues to optimize bitrate.

TrickleStor technology provides edge-based failover redundancy

The new TrickleStor feature allows video recording to continue when an outage occurs. If communication between the NVR and cameras is interrupted, the camera automatically detects the anomaly and begins recording to its internal micro SDXC card, storing up to 128GB of video. Once the connection is restored, the recorded video is then seamlessly transferred back to the NVR’s hard drive.

Included in Cyber Protection Program

The next generation 3MP cameras adhere to the rigorous standards set forth by Tyco Security Products Cyber Protection Program (CPP). The CPP mandates an extensive and systematic approach to developing, configuring, and supporting physical security products and systems that help manage the risks associated with cyber-attacks and meet IT security demands. The new Flex 3MP cameras meet these requirements and employ multiple user access levels, IP address filtering, user access logs, and IEEE 802.1x for additional security.

Illustra Flex 3MP cameras deliver superior HD 1080p video at 60 frames per second using H.264, H.265, MJPEG, or IntelliZip compression technologies and feature a P-Iris lens for optimal image clarity. The box, bullet and outdoor mini-dome include an integrated IR illuminator that provides high-quality video up to 25 meters in even the worst lighting conditions.

Using the very latest True Day/Night technology, the cameras maintain image detail in scenes of varying light conditions (e.g., doorways and windows) with, and automatically switch between color, and black and white mode depending on the ambient illumination level allowing the camera to maintain crystal clear images day or night.

Motorized lens for ease of focus and zoom operator control

The cameras feature a motorized lens which makes it very easy to focus and zoom, eliminating timely and error-prone manual adjustments.

Excellent options for indoor or outdoor surveillance

All of the new Flex cameras feature motion detection that instantly alerts operators of any intruder activity, and blur detection to ensure the cameras are in focus at all times. Additionally, the new mini-domes are IK10 rated ensuring they can withstand external impacts that might occur if an intruder was attempting to take the camera out of operation. The outdoor mini-domes and bullet cameras are IP67-rated which ensures protection against dust and water, making them ideal for outdoor applications.

Easy to install and set up

The Illustra Flex 3MP cameras use a built-in web server for easy configuration. When used with the Illustra Connect software tool, discovery, snapshot, configuration, IP address assignments, diagnostics, and firmware upgrades take no time at all. The camera use Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.af) which eliminates the need for cables and reduces installation time and cost. Other time-saving features include:

Motorized focus and zoom

Easy-to-remove recessed mount

375°pan and 3 axis gimbal (mini-domes)

A Product Portfolio with cameras for any application

Because of its compact design and affordable price, the Flex 3MP Box Camera is best suited for small to medium size offices, retail boutiques, schools, and bank branches looking for a cost-effective camera.

Featuring a tough exterior, the Flex 3MP Bullet Camera is ideal for exterior applications of small to medium size offices, retail boutiques, schools, and small bank branches looking for a rugged camera that can withstand harsh environments

The Flex 3MP Mini-Domes feature a recessed mounting option, allowing them to be covertly installed in a variety of both interior and exterior locations such as the cash register terminal at a retail store or above a drive-thru ATM.

Video Management Systems play an integral role in tracking down perpetrators of all types as well as preventing criminal incidents in general. Given the broad base of applications for video management systems, there are many instances of large quantities of useless footage due to poor quality recording. Regular audits and evaluations are to ensure that the best possible procedures are being followed can cut down on time wasted by sifting through unusable footage.

Consider the following best practices around logging, auditing and back-up processes to guarantee the most secure results:

Security Event Log – Supports reliable, fine-grained, and configurable logging of a variety of security relevant system events. This includes logins, configuration changes, and file and networks access.

Log Security – A log should be protected from unintentional and malicious. Limited access and proper authentication are required for good security.

Date and Time – Accurate date and times are extremely important for auditing and backup as this information will enable auditors and investigators to know exactly when specific events have occurred. During device set up, it is required that the date and time is either automatically set to the workstation or that the device uses Network Time Protocol (NTP) to synchronize the camera to the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Logs by Default – Logs should not be optional, but created by default as a part of the device setup since they are the essence of detecting and uncovering malicious activity.

Backup/Restore – Maintaining your security position is very important as it is critical to quickly restoring the system to operation after an incident. There needs to be a method to back up a working camera and then to restore the data on the current or replacement camera.

Reviewing your camera’s logging and backup setting will provide you an opportunity to make sure it meets your site’s needs. You should also verify that you can successfully restore a camera to ensure that your backups are not corrupt. To learn more about the Cyber Protection Program visit our website at tycosecurityproducts.com/CyberProtection.aspx. For any questions you may have on the Cyber Protection Program, email jeffbarkley@tycoint.com.

Physical security teams in healthcare, higher-education or commercial enterprise settings deal with incidents on a daily basis. While most incidents are considered small and routine – like a fender bender in the parking lot, at times they can be much more significant, like an attempted robbery or assault. For all these cases, the physical security team will record the details in an incident management system so that the data can be archived for legal reasons, for example to protect the hospital in the event of a lawsuit or criminal prosecution, or to provide insight so as to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Incident management software has traditionally been used for exactly that purpose: recording details of an incident once the incident has occurred (post incident). However, as the demand and systems have grown, software capabilities have evolved to now manage the entire incident as it happens, from the notification of an incident, to the response (or dispatch) through to the final reporting. These additional capabilities are mainly facilitated through a number of integrations that are now available with incident management systems.

The same can be said about access control or video management systems. While they are still often used for their traditional capabilities, such as granting access to employees through secured doors or recording video for playback in case of an investigation, integrations have brought additional capabilities to these systems as well.

C•CURE 9000 access control systems from Software House and victor video management systems from American Dynamics, both part of Tyco Security Products’ offerings, are global leaders in the access control and video surveillance markets and are deployed in many of the leading enterprises across the globe, including some of the largest healthcare and educational facilities worldwide. These platforms have now grown to include integrations with several types of both security and non-security related systems, such as: Elevator dispatch systems, Emergency communication systems, Time and attendance or payroll systems and even Incident Management systems, to name a few.

The benefits of integrating your incident management system with C•CURE 9000 and victor VMS are clear as they can provide essential data to help in the notification, dispatch and reporting of incidents.

Consider the following examples:

An ex-employee is attempting to re-enter the hospital pharmacy using his unreturned access card. C•CURE 9000 will notify the security team immediately through its event monitoring screen and send the event data to the incident management system for dispatch of security staff. The security team can confirm the identity of the suspect through the victor video system and track his movements as well. Once the suspect is apprehended, an incident report is created that includes all the essential data:

a. The exact time the incident began.

b. Actions taken by the security staff.

c. How quickly the dispatch staff reached the scene.

d. Video images of the scene as it unfolded.

An important piece of equipment has disappeared from a storage room. Investigation using the incident management system reveals the last employee that entered the storage room using access control data and recorded video data also reveals images of the perpetrator carrying the equipment down a hall towards an exit and then into a parked car. The same access card is then used to exit the parking area. A comprehensive report is made available for authorities to use for possible prosecution, including:

a. Details of suspected employee identity.

b. Time of entry and exit for the employee.

c. Video images of the incident.

Of course, seamlessly and bi-directionally sharing information from disparate systems also greatly improves security staff efficiency. Where the security team used to have to search through many different systems to put together a comprehensive report for an incident, they can now pull the data they need from one single source.

D3 Security Management Systems Inc. as well as Resolver Inc. are leading incident management software developers and their products are used various types of applications. They are also approved members of the Connected Partner Program from Tyco Security Products, through their integration with Software House C•CURE 9000 and victor VMS.

“An event or alarm reported through the integrated access control and/or video system is often what starts the incident management process. Our customers extract a ton of ROI simply by not having to re-enter the information manually each time there is a dispatch response. At the other end of the spectrum, the more advanced customers will even push out a dispatch automatically, to the closest available officer, based on his or her GPS position, in seconds and with zero human intervention” says Gary O’Connor, Director of Strategic Alliances at D3 Security.

“Integration with the onsite access control and video system has become a key part of an effective incident management system. Having data from both those systems helps our software optimize the dispatch of security guards as well as provide accuracy in the automation process of the overall security system”, says Brian McIlravey, EVP Corporate Security & Command Center Applications at Resolver.

C•CURE 9000 from Software House and victor video management systems from American Dynamics also present the additional benefit of having the capability to send data from their integrated sub- systems through to the incident management platform. For example, a PowerSeries Neo alarm panel from DSC, integrated to the C•CURE 9000 system will provide even more data that can be used in monitoring and investigation by security staff.

For more information about the C•CURE 9000 from Software House and victor video management software from American Dynamics as well the approved list of integrated partner products, please contact us at tspconnect@tycoint.com or visit the Compatibility Matrix.